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From left, WIU Provost Mark Mossman, Assistant Director of Annual Giving and nominator John Biernbaum HA `14, Eric Johnson HA `26, Macomb Mayor Mike Inman.
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From left, WIU Assistant Vice President for Finance and Administration and nominator Ketra Roseleib `09 `11, John Meixner `95 `05, WIU Provost Mark Mossman, Macomb Mayor Mike Inman.
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WIU Recognizes 2026 Town & Gown and Honorary Alumni Award Recipients

October 21, 2026

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MACOMB, IL — Regional Office of Education #26 (ROE26) Director of Legislative and Community Initiatives John Meixner `95 `05 and retired WIU Men's Soccer Head Coach Eric Johnson were presented with the 2026 Town & Gown and Honorary Alumni Awards during the annual Town & Gown celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The two were selected in recognition of their long histories of support of WIU and the Macomb community.

John Meixner: Town & Gown
Meixner has been a strong advocate for WIU throughout his twenty year career with ROE26. During his previous role as Regional Superintendent, he developed and maintained important partnerships with the WIU College of Education. Those partnerships provided opportunities for hundreds of students, many of whom went on to remain in the area and contribute to the strength of rural education throughout the region.

Meixner's commitment to the university and the community has extended well beyond his professional roles. As President of the Macomb Area Chamber of Commerce, he worked closely with WIU during some particularly challenging times, helping strengthen communication, local resources, and a shared path forward for the University and the community.

On campus, Meixner has served on the WIU Alumni Council and currently serves on the Performing Arts Society Board of Directors. He prioritizes the Performing Arts Society and Leatherneck Athletics through his philanthropy and is a frequent volunteer on the sidelines during Leatherneck football. Through his financial support of WIU, Meixner has been recognized as a Sherman Circle donor and at the Partners level of the Foundation Fellows Society.

Meixner has advocated for WIU at the state level, using his relationships and experience to support efforts on behalf of the university in Springfield and beyond. Today, he serves as a community representative on the University Strategy Council, helping shape the future direction of WIU as the institution updates its strategic plan.

Eric Johnson: Honorary Alumnus
Johnson recently retired after nearly thirty years of leading the WIU Men's Soccer program and holds the title of winningest coach in program history. During his tenure, he guided WIU to six NCAA Tournament appearances, four regular season conference titles and six conference tournament championships across the Mid-Continent Conference, the Summit League and the Ohio Valley Conference.

Johnson was named Coach of the Year five times, solidifying his legacy as one of the most successful coaches in WIU athletics history. Additionally, he served as the WIU Women's soccer head coach from 2016-2021, while concurrently coaching the Men's team.

Johnson's contributions extend far beyond the soccer field. As a coach, mentor, adjunct faculty member and University representative, he has consistently understood that collegiate athletics is fundamentally about developing young people. His influence on student-athletes encompasses far more than wins and losses. He challenges his players to become better teammates, leaders, students, citizens and human beings. The lessons he teaches about discipline, perseverance, accountability, teamwork and overcoming adversity remain with his student-athletes long after their playing careers have ended.

Johnson has also poured back into Leatherneck Athletics through his personal philanthropy, earning recognition as a Sherman Circle donor and at the Directors level of the Foundation Fellows Society.

As his nominator shared, one of Johnson's greatest strengths is his understanding of the importance of community. Johnson's career at WIU demonstrates strong loyalty to the WIU and Macomb communities. His accomplishments are not simply measured by statistics or athletic records, but by the many lives he has influenced and the lasting relationships he has developed.

The Town & Gown Award is presented to an individual who has provided exceptional service in continuing the partnership between WIU and the Macomb community. The Honorary Alumni Award is presented to an individual who is not a WIU graduate but who has provided exceptional service to the WIU community. To view previous recipients, visit wiu.edu/alumni/recognition/honorary_and_town_and_gown.php.

Posted By: Drew Donahoo (AM-Donahoo@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing